Medical and medical supportNursing OfficerCURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Nursing Officer, you’ll be both a commissioned officer and a nurse. That means you will be trained to show leadership and management skills in a team environment, as well as providing excellent standards of nursing.

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DAY RATE STARTS AT:£37.12+ Benefits

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APPLICANTS MUST:

Be aged 22 - 47 (Must attest before 48th birthday)

You must have completed a BSc or Diploma in Nursing (Adult or Mental Health). You must be registered with the NMC with at least 2 years' post-registration experience. (Candidates may begin the application process at the 12 month point post registration).

Have 2 GCSEs (English Language and Maths or acceptable equivalents) at a minimum of Grade C/4-5 or Scottish Certificate of Education at a minimum of Grade 2 or Scottish National Equivalent grades at Grade 5 (Grades A-C). Non-graduate entrants require a total of 5 GCSEs (inc English Language and Maths). Educational waivers may be considered

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

Apprenticeships available

APPLICANTS MUST:

Be aged 18 – 54 years old (Must attest before 55th birthday - Ex Regulars over the age of 55 may be considered on a case by case basis)

Have GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17) or Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grades at a minimum of Grade 2 or Scottish National Equivalent grades at Grade 5 in English Language, Mathematics and 3 other acceptable subjects

Have at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking) which must total a minimum of 160 UCAS points

Locations

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary healthcare

Secondary healthcare

Aeromedical evacuation (evacuation of patients by air)

As an RAF Nursing Officer you will lead and manage a small team of RAF Registered Nurses as well as help the Senior Nursing Officer manage the ward. You could transfer patients by air (aeromedical evacuation), work in an overseas field hospital and provide medical support to a military exercise.

Professional training is available to continue to develop your practice in either specialist or non-specialist areas. Dependent on Service need, you will have the opportunity to work in many diverse areas including Primary Health Care, Occupational Health, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Burns and Plastics, Operating Theatres, Medical and Surgical speciality wards, Infection and Prevention Control and Mental Health. Wherever you work, you will be leading a highly motivated team of staff nurses and work as part of a multidisciplinary and often tri-Service team. To ensure you professionally broaden and to make the best of your qualities you can expect to have several assignments.

All Nursing Officers can expect to deploy on operational tours to provide care not only to RAF colleagues, but to those in other Services and often other nationalities.

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

You will begin your RAF career on the Specialist Officer Training (SOT) course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will follow a 13-week course specially designed for professionally qualified entrants to the RAF.

You will join the RAF on an initial 12-year engagement (same as most RAF personnel - it is possible to exit during this period subject to sufficient notice). Pay, pension and service beyond the initial engagement (up to a maximum of age 60 years) are linked to performance and rank progression. Your initial rank will be determined by the number of post-registration years that you have completed (maximum initial rank of Flight Lieutenant). Further promotion to Squadron Leader and above is by competitive selection.

ONGOING DEVELOPMENT

Your career will progress through a variety of assignments providing a wide range of roles and responsibilities for optimal professional and personal development; there are abundant opportunities to progress both professionally and as an officer. The RAF’s Nurse Education Advisor provides guidance for those pursuing educational advancement within their field of expertise, something which is encouraged. Militarily, attendance on Officer Development Courses at The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, a national and international centre of excellence in leadership development, and a variety of assignments will enhance your managerial and subordinate development skills.

FIRST TOUR

Nursing Officers are usually assigned to Defence Medical Group (DMG) Units in hospitals in the UK for their first assignment in the RAF. At a DMG unit, you can expect to become familiar with working with other military nurses and subordinates and get used to the challenges that managing care as well as subordinates can bring. You will complete a preceptorship programme designed to enhance your clinical skills and orientate you to the military aspects of nursing. Potentially, you will complete your Aeromedical Evacuation Training during this tour.

As a junior or newly appointed Nursing Officer, you will likely be assigned to a clinical area with a small team of RAF Registered Nurses to manage – with support from a more senior Nursing Officer. Subsequently, you may request to work in a particular clinical speciality and work towards post-Registration qualifications.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

As a Nursing Officer, your experience in the military will be highly valued by us or by any future employer. We will continue to develop your nursing and leadership skills and ensure that we foster your adaptability and enthusiasm.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15 day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. This training course will prepare you for service life in one of the most respected military forces in the world; it is also designed to help you tune into the military environment and way of life. As well as military training, you will learn about the core values, code of conduct and history of the RAF, as well as its unique lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

After successfully completing initial training, you will be trained for your specific role in the RAF either at your squadron or another RAF station in the UK.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.

Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.

You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Be between 22 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Be between 21 and 54 years old.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

You must have completed a BSc or Diploma in Nursing (Adult or Mental Health). You must be registered with the NMC with at least 2 years' post-registration experience. (Candidates may begin the application process at the 12 month point post registration).

Graduate entrants require 2 GCSEs (English Language and Maths or acceptable equivalents) at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17) or Scottish National 5 (Grades A-C).

Non-graduate entrants require a total of 5 GCSEs (inc English Language and Maths).

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

Following the Home Office announcement that the UK Armed Forces will now be able to recruit commonwealth citizens without the 5 year residency requirement, please note that the RAF continues to apply standard residency requirements for security clearance, ie, DV employment requires 7-years UK residency immediately prior to enlistment; SC requires 3-years.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through two or three separate fitness tests as part of the application process: Selection Fitness Test, Pre-joining Fitness Test or Pre-recruit Training Course. How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender.

Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions

Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary

Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence

Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles

Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits

Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. All tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform

Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up

Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17) or Scottish Certificate of Education Standard Grades at a minimum of Grade 2 or Scottish National Equivalent grades at Grade 5 in English Language, Mathematics and 3 other acceptable subjects

Have at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking) which must total a minimum of 160 UCAS points

Must be registered with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC)

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through a Pre-joining Fitness Test. How fit you need to be to pass this test can vary depending on role, age and gender.

Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions

Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary

Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence

Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles

Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits

Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. All tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform

Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up

Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.